Nuggets PG Jameer Nelson set to start Friday vs. Bucks

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2/20/15) Nuggets point guard Jameer Nelson will draw the start in Friday's matchup with the Bucks.

Nelson missed the team's final four games before the break due to an Achilles injury. The team reportedly indicated during the All-Star break that it had no plans to release the point guard. He'll instead get the start over Ty Lawson, who missed Wednesday's practice before returning to the team Thursday.

The Nuggets are 8-point underdogs in Milwaukee Friday.

Report: Nuggets have no plans to release Jameer Nelson

Several teams are hoping Nelson, who has a guaranteed deal for next season, has his contract bought out and becomes a free agent this month, but the Nuggets traded for the point guard with the thought of keeping him. Nelson's name has come up multiple times in trade rumors this week and will likely continue to do so until he's dealt or until the trade deadline passes.

Report: Wizards, Heat explore trade for Nuggets' Jameer Nelson

Nelson has missed the last four games while recovering from an Achilles injury. He's played with three different teams this season, seeing one game of action with the Celtics after being dealt by the Mavericks in the trade that brought Rajon Rondo to Dallas before being swung to the Nets in exchange for Nate Robinson. Nelson has averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 assists and 23.6 minutes in 40 games.

Nuggets C JaVale McGee makes brief return off the bench

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(2/11/15) Nuggets center JaVale McGee made a brief appearance off the bench Tuesday night against the Lakers, scoring three points in just one minute of game action. It was McGee's first action since Jan. 31 due to an illness. He is averaging 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest this season.

For the first time in his career, Jameer Nelson will be playing his home games somewhere other than Orlando, after signing with the Mavericks this offseason. Additionally, for the first time since 2005-06, Jameer Nelson is may not be locked into a full-time starting role, as he joins a deep Mavericks backcourt. He might end up as a starter, but there are enough options in Dallas that he is almost certainly to see fewer than the 32.0 minutes per game he averaged a year ago. Nelson will likely slide into the Jose Calderon role in Dallas, serving more as a spot-up shooter and ball-mover than initiator, so don't expect him to average 7.0 assists per game again. Playing at such a deep position, it is hard to justify viewing Nelson as anything more than a low-end Fantasy option in most leagues on Draft Day.
(Updated 8/27/14)